Monday, October 26, 2009

Lady in The Lake

Lady in the Lake, a film noir, released in 1947 is directed by Robert Montgomey and stars Robert Montgomery as Phillip Marlowe. The film also stars Audrey Totter as Adrian Fromsett, Lloyd Nolan as Detective DeGarmot, Tom Tully as Captain Kane, and Leon Ames as Derace Kingsby.

Detective Phillip Marlowe is asked by publishing executive Adrienne Fromsett to locate the wife of her boss, publisher Derace Kingsby. The wife was last seen about two months ago and the last communication was a recent telegram saying she was heading to Mexico to marry a man named Chris Lavery. However, Chris Lavery is still in town and hasn't seen the publisher's wife in awhile. The case becomes more and more complicated as people are murdered, an old suicide case is believed to have been a murder connected to her disapperance, and a web of intrigue develops with a police officer possibly being involved in one or more of the murders.

The entire movie plot unfolds from lead Robert Montgomery's point of view: the principal character is never seen on-screen except as a reflection in mirrors and windows. You see the movie from the eyes of Robert Montgomery's Phillip Marlowe. The movie was also rare for having virtually no musical soundtrack.

I enjoyed this movie although Robert Montgomery is by no way one of my favorite Phillip Marlowes. The technique of shooting everything from Montgomery (Marlowe) point of view is an excellent touch but can be annoying at times. The story line with its twists and teasers is great. One teaser in particular was very well done. Chrystal Kinsby is credited as being played by Ellay Mort which is French for "she is dead."